Hi All
New to the forum,
bit of an introduction
Im a carpentry contractor/sub-contractor spent 20 odd years sub-contracting to other carpentry contractors working for developers but as the recession hit it gave me the kick up the backside i needed to focus on business and start sub-contracting for the developers and use sub-contractors myself.
Things are going ok and i have done a lot of tenders for a couple of company's but so far only won a few sites
I have big goals and the basis of these is to increase turnover before i can implement them any further. one way would be to lower my margins but this is not the way i want to go so i need to get more tender opportunity's
I started off by producing a mailshot aimed at the QS's introducing myself and detailing what i do/offer etc. I then produced a postcard type leaflet with a few pictures and again on the reverse giving details about the business and website address.

So to my question
How do i get onto your tender list? what would you want someone to do to get on there?
I have avoided calling direct as i believe you guys are busy and dont need the distractions am i wrong?

I am new to this site as of today and thought your post was of interest. I specialise in exactly what you are wanting.

To give you my brief background....For years I had my own contract flooring company and was in continuous need of floor layers as I grew over the years. I worked for all the major Main Contractors and did many large projects. To this end I produced the website Multiwork.co.uk. It allows companies like yours find subcontract labour. Having talked to many of my contacts within the construction industry I am now creating Multiwork Tenders. This will be an e-procurement site for MC's to post tenders online. Companies like yours will then be able to download tenders and return them accordinging the tender details.

If you send me your details I will be in touch when it is ready.

In the meantime if you want any contacts or an e-brochure creating then feel free to ask or contact me direct phil@multiwork.co.uk. I'm sure I can help for a 'small' fee.

No matter what you think though, phoning is the only way to make contacts. Every man and his dog can send an email or a postcard but few have the bottle to pick up the phone. You will get knocked back by some and some will allow you onto their database but it's all about selling you not your company. People buy from people.

(12-08-2010 07:29 PM)Jack Rafter Wrote: is this the holy grail of the secret circle

No, but it is the sort of thing that doesn't have an easy answer.

Case in point: the Head of Department where I worked once upon a time preached system, system, system. There had to be a rule for everything - not just tenders, the whole lot, from minor works up. There was always a Procedure, and he was very good at coming up with new Procedures.

Trouble was, it all came up against his final procedure. He insisted on being the only person who could approve anything, and that effectively meant that a huge backlog of paperwork built up in his intray. It was a big department, plenty to do, and nothing could be done until he signed off on it. Since he ignored the paper pile as long as possible, this meant that some very important things, including who to put on the tender list, got dealt with in a rush at the last minute.

It's an idiosyncratic business. Personal contact certainly helps. It's also worth scanning Planning on a regular basis and seeing who's intending to build what. But ultimately I don't think there's a secret handshake; there's just what happens to work at the time.

I dont like the phone call, In fact I hate it! I also hate the E-mail clogging my inbox!!

I like the posted letter, it shows someone has taken the time to produce a personalised letter on letter headed paper and the more professional it looks at first glance the more likely people are going to have a scan through!

Find out who the gaffer is and address it to them. Not just "the company".
Keep it to the point and simple:
1)Who you are
2)What you do
3) Why I will want to use you.

If it's developers you want to work for go and see the site agent when you see a site office and some diggers start on site (take him some donuts). Ask who the surveyor is and ring him up to see if he has let the carpentry package yet and if not can you get a chance to price.

Once you know a few surveyors and have done a good job then your order book will increase cos these guys move from developer to developer quite a lot.

(15-08-2010 03:01 PM)hoof hearted ? Wrote: If it's developers you want to work for go and see the site agent when you see a site office and some diggers start on site (take him some donuts). Ask who the surveyor is and ring him up to see if he has let the carpentry package yet and if not can you get a chance to price.

Once you know a few surveyors and have done a good job then your order book will increase cos these guys move from developer to developer quite a lot.

Good luck.

Hoof hearted knows the game; it's all about networking and delivery. I personally don't like letters, it's just a waste of resources in my opinion.

Another good tactic is to use your subsubcontractor position to impress the main contractors agent, and hint to him that you're also prepared and ready to price similar work.

Or, look out for 'out of town' developers on tender award publications; these boys will be looking for new contacts, and if you can get in there early, you have a good chance of getting work.

PM me and i'll be happy to answer any more questions you have. I let packages like yours all the time...